Locals gathered along the shore to bid farewell to the floating restaurant.
Nearly 260 feet tall, the sprawling three-story jumbo floating restaurant was famous for its giant green and red neon sign reading “Phun Ying Gwong Lam,” Chinese for “Welcome.” In its heyday, it was part of the largest floating restaurant in the world.
For nearly half a century, it was the main boat of the Jumbo Kingdom, which included the larger and smaller sister restaurant boat Tai Pak (dating back to 1952), a barge for seafood tanks, a 130-foot-long kitchen boat, and eight boats. Small ferries to take visitors from two nearby ghats.
In recent years, Jumbo was the only one of the floating restaurant group that was operational and open to diners.
“Jumbo Floating Restaurant has left Hong Kong today,” Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Ltd, which owns and operates Jumbo Kingdom, confirmed in a statement issued after the towing was completed.
“A unique symbol for residents and tourists alike, Jumbo Floating Restaurant has stood proudly in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island for the past 46 years. During this journey, it has been a privilege for us to share beautiful collective memories with locals and locals alike. There has been great respect. Foreign tourists.
“We sincerely thank all of you for your love and care. We take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for your bright future,” the statement read.
remember an icon
It was a much-loved neighbor of CNN’s Hong Kong office. On a sunny day, Jumbo Kingdom has been a favorite subject for photographs from office windows.
The restaurant certainly looked worn compared to its glory days, but still had a glamorous old-world charm.
The approach to the floating restaurant – accessible only via a special jumbo-branded boat – was one of the most dramatic restaurant entrances in the world.
Upon arrival, you’ll see the grand imperial-style façade with reliefs covering the entire wall, a massive commissioned painting in the stairwell, and plenty of colorful Chinese-style motifs, including a golden throne in the dining hall.
A young Kenny Chan posing in a jumbo in the 1990s.
Courtesy CU Explorer Travel Ltd.
Chan’s parents were one of a handful of fishing village families living in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter. His wife also grew up on a boat.
“I can still remember how excited I was as a child, whenever I had a chance to climb a snake and go jumbo. The ride was not just transportation – it made us feel like we were going to a palace. There is no other place in Hong Kong that can give the same sentiment.”
Those fond memories of his childhood in the Aberdeen fishing village in the harbor inspired him to found CU in 2018. The company offers private charter services as well as a cultural tour called the Aberdeen 1773 Cultural Tour which includes a stop at Jumbo Kingdom. departure.
“The cultural, symbolic and tourism value of jumbo is significant and cannot be quantified… We understand that maintaining jumbo can be challenging. We are disappointed to see the government jeopardize its plan. [to invigorate the neighborhood] Set in 2020 and his decision to ‘not interfere’ [in Jumbo’s fate]Chan says.
Members of the Chan family attend a wedding banquet in Jumbo in 2010.
Courtesy CU Explorer Travel Ltd.
a floating miracle
In its heyday, the restaurant ship starred in several local and international films, including “Enter the Dragon” (starring Bruce Lee opposite Tai Pak), “Spider-Man: The Dragon Challenge” and Stephen Chow’s comedy “God of Cookery”. did. ,
It was a “must have” stop for visiting celebrities including Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Jimmy Carter, Chow Yun Fat, Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Cruise.
“Some dismissed its architectural importance as simply a ‘fake’ royal design but I disagree – it is an interesting attempt [at] replace floating space [into] An ancient Chinese palace. If we look at the historical context, it was built at a time when the Chinese aesthetic of this imperial style was not even encouraged in China (“the old stuff” had to be removed during the Cultural Revolution). The Jumbo Kingdom therefore reflected how the Chinese in Hong Kong had a greater longing or passion for these old Chinese traditions.”
A view of the restaurant at night, lit up by its famous neon lights.
Courtesy of Jumbo Kingdom
end of an era
Of course, its golden age did not last.
As the fishing population in Aberdeen Harbor dwindled, Jumbo Kingdom became less popular with locals and tourists alike.
In March 2020, restaurant owners said they had suffered losses of more than HKD100 million ($13 million) and announced that the restaurant would be closed until further notice.
Several proposals were put forward to save the historic icon, but its high maintenance cost scared off potential investors.
Hong Kong’s government also did not seem eager to get involved.
The Antiquities Advisory Board ruled that the ships – unlike buildings on land – were not part of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, meaning that the jumbo did not qualify for the protection of the city.
Without a “white knight” rescuer that the city was waiting for, the group decided to move Jumbo Floating Restaurant, the main boat, to an undisclosed shipyard off Hong Kong before its operating license expires this June. .
The Tai Pak, the smaller and older boat, as well as the recently overturned kitchen boat, currently still stands at the port. Nothing has been confirmed yet about the future of these boats.
Whatever happens next, Hong Kong has lost one of the biggest – and brightest – jewels in its crown.